Explorers: Henry Hudson Pgs Created by Mr. Roper

By this time Europeans had found a southern route around the Americas to the Indies. Remember Magellan. However they had not found a northern route. In 1602 the Dutch East India Company wanted to find and use a Northwest Passage to the Indies. They believed this would save them time and money.

Northwest Passage The Northwest Passage was thought to be a river above North American that would take ships from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and on to Asia. Today we know that this does passage does not exist but early explorers did not.

An English Captain, Henry Hudson decided to lead the search for the Northwest Passage. In 1609, Hudson left from the Netherlands with a crew of 20. As he sailed North it became colder and icier. He turned the ship south and headed for warmer weather.

He explored a harbor that he thought was a passage. This area he explored later became known as the Hudson River since he was one of the first to explore this area. While exploring the river, he traded with local Indians and helped the Dutch to set up trading post.

 In 1610, England hired Hudson to find the Northwest Passage.  He began exploring possible areas that he hoped would lead him to the Pacific.  He claimed areas that would later be called the Hudson Strait and Hudson Bay.  During the winter the water froze and he was stuck in the bay.

 In June 1611, the weather warmed and he left the bay.  His crew wanted him to return home, but Hudson planned on continuing his search.  The angry crew put Hudson, his son, and seven other crew members in a small boat in the bay with no oars.  Hudson and his men were never heard from again.

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